pensation, and that as there was not so much money in Mocha, the cargo of the Indian ship should be accepted as security. Middleton would probably have demanded more had he not been well aware that the fine would come out of the pockets of the Indian merchants, who had shown themselves good friends of the captives in the days of their adversity. On July 2, when all the details had been adjusted, the shahbunder, on taking his departure for the shore, was honoured with a salute of three guns, a compliment which he no doubt greatly appreciated. Nothing now remained for Middleton but to complete his arrangements for the resumption of his long-delayed voyage. Before quitting Mocha, it is interesting to know, he entrusted the shahbunder with letters "to be forwarded to London by way of Messa, or Grand Cairo as we call it." In so doing he made use of the overland route which more than two centuries later was to be adopted for the regular transmission of the Indian mails through the exertions of the indefatigable Lieutenant Waghom.
As Aden and Mocha had proved hopeless for trade, Middleton naturally turned to India to seek to find there some compensation for his heavy disappointments. But he had no sooner arrived off Surat than he found himself confronted with the violent opposition of the Portuguese, reinforced by the ill-will of the Mogul authorities. After more or less futile efforts to establish relations with the shore, Middleton took his fleet to Dabul, a port to the southwards, off which he anchored for purposes of revictualling. Here a sort of council of war was held to determine the course of action which should be followed.
We have a vivid light thrown upon the uncertainties and perplexities of the hour as they appeared to the harassed
